What Does it Take to Be a Mechanical Drafter?
Example of Mechanical Drafter Job Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
What Do Mechanical Drafters Do On a Daily Basis?
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
- Check dimensions of materials to be used and assign numbers to the materials.
- Design scale or full-size blueprints of specialty items such as furniture and automobile body or chassis components.
- Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
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Qualities of a Mechanical Drafter
Mechanical Drafters state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Tool and Die Designer
- Designer
- CAD Draftsman (Computer-Aided Design Draftsman)
- Autocad Technician
- Mechanical Design Technician
Job Opportunities for Mechanical Drafters
In the United States, there were 64,800 jobs for Mechanical Drafter in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Mechanical Drafter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,900 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Mechanical Drafter are Nevada, Connecticut, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Mechanical Drafters Make A Lot Of Money?
Mechanical Drafters make between $35,720 and $88,280 a year.
Mechanical Drafters who work in Washington, New Mexico, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
How much do Mechanical Drafters make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,960 |
| Alaska | $72,880 |
| Arizona | $65,040 |
| Arkansas | $50,430 |
| California | $65,710 |
| Colorado | $63,450 |
| Connecticut | $66,590 |
| Delaware | $58,360 |
| District of Columbia | $50,500 |
| Florida | $54,610 |
| Georgia | $53,410 |
| Hawaii | $59,450 |
| Idaho | $48,430 |
| Illinois | $56,210 |
| Indiana | $51,610 |
| Iowa | $55,180 |
| Kansas | $50,210 |
| Kentucky | $53,950 |
| Louisiana | $66,150 |
| Maine | $56,880 |
| Maryland | $65,420 |
| Massachusetts | $57,500 |
| Michigan | $58,070 |
| Minnesota | $59,360 |
| Mississippi | $59,870 |
| Missouri | $54,470 |
| Montana | $53,230 |
| Nebraska | $50,100 |
| Nevada | $49,210 |
| New Hampshire | $58,350 |
| New Jersey | $68,200 |
| New Mexico | $69,930 |
| New York | $57,780 |
| North Carolina | $53,810 |
| North Dakota | $51,970 |
| Ohio | $53,690 |
| Oklahoma | $59,930 |
| Oregon | $57,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,280 |
| Rhode Island | $52,160 |
| South Carolina | $60,180 |
| South Dakota | $41,450 |
| Tennessee | $60,890 |
| Texas | $61,770 |
| Utah | $60,450 |
| Vermont | $53,600 |
| Virginia | $59,000 |
| Washington | $81,180 |
| West Virginia | $51,180 |
| Wisconsin | $52,390 |
| Wyoming | $54,650 |
What Tools do Mechanical Drafters Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Mechanical Drafters may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Extensible markup language XML
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Bentley Microstation
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Autodesk Revit
- Trimble SketchUp Pro
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Document management system software
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
How to Become a Mechanical Drafter
What kind of Mechanical Drafter requirements are there?
What work experience do I need to become a Mechanical Drafter?
Where do Mechanical Drafters Work?
The table below shows the approximate number of Mechanical Drafters employed by various industries.
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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